I was first called for County court jury duty thirty-two years ago when I was 26. I served as a juror on a criminal trial for a week. It was a kidnapping, assault, attempted rape, attempted murder case. The guy that we convicted was a repeat offender. The judge kept the jury after it was all over to tell us we’d done the right thing. The creep had just gotten out of prison, having served time for doing the exact same crime.
Seven years later at age 33 I was called for County court again. I made it as far as a courtroom and then we were told the parties had settled so we were thanked for our service and sent home.
Seven years later at age 40 my old friend County court called me again. This time I phoned in for almost a week, and they didn’t need me to come in.
I went eighteen years without hearing a peep. I got home tonight and found a jury duty summons waiting for me. Not County court this time. Oh, no, that would be too easy. This time it was US District Court, and it’s not a week worth of commitment. Oh, no, this time my commitment is for ninety days. Ninety. Days. I’m on the hook from July 12th until October 11th.
If I don’t get on a trial, I remain on call for ninety days. I’m not sure what happens if I do serve on a trial. Am I done, or do I stay on call? Like any jury duty summons, there’s no way out of it. I’m stuck.
If only they’d waited another twelve years. If I were 70, I could get excused. If I were caring for babies or the elderly, I could get excused. If I was considered essential to my job, I could get excused. While I’d like to think I’m pretty important, I don’t think the court would agree.
So I’ll have a new experience whether I want one or not. Maybe I should add blue and purple highlights to the pink in my hair if I have to report. I’d make a statement anyway.
Heron There & Everywhere 
They can do that? 90 days?!??!?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Apparently they can. 😵
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very upsetting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ugh – that’s only a slight inconvenience. I hope that if you are selected, the task is over quick and life can return to normal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s the 90 day commitment that annoys me. A week is nothing. Three months? I can’t even plan a vacation!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yikes! In Texas it’s one day if you aren’t selected, you’re done. I too dread those summons. Hate the thought of sitting in judgment of anyone, not to mention all the hours involved. I can’t begin to imagine 90 days of waiting for the other shoe to drop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a bit much. I was pretty upset yesterday. Now I’m thinking I’ll just have to wait and see. I’ll just take it day by day and hope for the best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fingers crossed for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Federal jury service is 90 days? I had no idea, and I work almost entirely in federal court. I’ve only ever been called for state court. It’s not grand jury duty, is it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t THINK so. It doesn’t say grand jury on it anywhere. I wondered that, too, though. I read it over several times but don’t see it. God, I hope not!
LikeLiked by 1 person
While I do think it would be fascinating to be on a grand jury, it really is a huge time commitment. I can’t imagine they would give you grand jury duty without telling you that’s what it is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think they would. I hope not!
LikeLiked by 1 person
30 days on stand by! I feel for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s unreal, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am still flabbergasted at the length, and now have something else to hope never shows up in my mailbox. At least I’m now out of my weeklong county service without having to ever report…
LikeLiked by 1 person
A week would be welcome at this point! I never heard of ninety days either. Definitely not funny.
LikeLike
sorry Donna, but Federal jury duty is 90 days..whether you are chosen or not. And if you should decide not to show up? well, you are royally mucked up then as it is an automatic jail sentence. I just finished one. 90 days. served on four different juries. screwed up my vacation time, I missed the birth of a grand-baby and a son got married…….it sucked.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I’m sorry to hear that! My employer only pays jury duty pay for two weeks. Beyond that, I’m not going to be able to pay my bills on $40/day jury pay. I hope I don’t have to sit on that many juries or I’m screwed.
LikeLike